Olive growing ‘causing desertification’

Junta blasted for missing round-table debate on future of unique Rio Aguas ecosystem amid damning new scientific report

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The Rio Aguas in Los Molinos is a unique flowing river that could disappear, experts warn

By Richard Torné

Up to 20 per cent of Spain’s land mass has degraded due to desertification and one per cent is actively degrading, a new study by Spanish scientists has revealed.

The 10-page report drafted by experts from CSIC, the Spanish National Research council, concludes that water intensive crops, such as olive orchards and vineyards which rely on groundwater exploitation, are largely responsible for causing desertification.

Read more in this week’s print edition or go to e-paper

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